Investors who pay attention to Japan’s looming election can expect to be well-rewarded for their time.  Normally, we confess, Japanese elections don’t matter much, because the same guys always win. However, this one – set for Aug. 30 – looks different: It may actually bring about the first real change in Japan’s government in 55 years. That’s important.

The path to permanent wealth is paved with high-yielding dividend stocks and reinforced with gold. With a housing market that’s in tatters and an economy that’s reeling, most U.S. investors see the current market as perhaps the worst ever to even think about such topics as saving, investing and wealth.